Partnerships

Everyone should have the chance to learn and enjoy music.

Our partnership programs include classes, concerts, lessons and demonstrations. We bring music to public and charters schools, nonprofit social service organizations and community centers around the Twin Cities.

Recent programs:

• Music enrichment and education classes for homeless children at St. Anne’s Place.
• History of Pop and Rock and Choir classes at Watershed High School.
• General music classes for K-2 kids at Southside Family Charter School.
• Free music performance workshops and public concerts featuring performing artists like Black Blondie and Marimba Africa at the West Bank Festival and Lake Harriet Bandshell.

Help us keep the music playing.

Please to help us bring music to more youth.

Involvement

We’ve performed hundreds of free concerts.

Over a quarter million Twin Cities residents have enjoyed music from our talented faculty and students at dozens of venues including:

• Lake Harriet Bandshell
• Minnehaha Falls Park
• Cedar Fest
• MayDay Parade
• Augsburg College
• University of Minnesota

We’re recognized for helping improve Minnesota arts and education.

For that, we’ve received honorary proclamations from the state of Minnesota, Hennepin County and city of Minneapolis.

We work with the city and community organizations to keep the neighborhood safe.

This committed network includes:

• West Bank Safety Committee
• Minneapolis Police Department, First Precinct
• West Bank Business Association and local businesses
• Second Ward Council Member Cam Gordon
• The Brian Coyle Center
• The University of Minnesota’s Humphrey Institute CHANCE program
• Augsburg College

We’re a block leader on the West Bank.

Through the West Bank Safety Committee, we’ve helped recruit, educate, and organize residents and businesses for safety networks, walking patrols, and neighborhood cleanups.

Request an Event

Invite the West Bank School of Music to your event.

We love being a part of the action. Have the following information ready, then e-mail us or call.

• Your name, and title if applicable
• Your organization
• Type of event (concert, neighborhood action, civic event, etc.)
• Date of event
• Who do you want to attend? (Teachers, staff, students, etc.)
• Type of audience and ballpark size
• List any special needs or equipment (e.g., equipment, promotion, etc)

E-mail: info@westbankmusic.org

Phone: 612-333-6651

Volunteering

One of the best donations to the school is volunteering your time and talent. Think of a volunteer activity that suits your personality and interests: Publicity, maintenance projects, helping with events, office support, etc.

Then send us an e-mail at info@westbankmusic.org. Include the following information:

• Name
• E-mail address
• Daytime phone
• One or two volunteer activities that interest you
• When you’re available (e.g. mornings, evenings, weekends)
• How often you’d like to volunteer (e.g. once a month, a few times a year)

Thanks for thinking of us, and we hope you’ll join us in keeping the music playing.

Board of Directors

WBSM Executive Director

David Alderson

In 1979, Executive Director David Alderson first walked into West Bank School of Music as a guitar student in search of jazz tunes and more interesting chords to spice up his repertoire. His first teacher, Tom Lieberman, obliged him and David has been taking guitar, voice and fiddle lessons at WBSM periodically over the years ever since that first visit. He joined WBSM as a staffer in the fall of 2005 after a stint as a marketing and publicity volunteer for WBSM’s 35th anniversary concerts reconnected him to the school. In October of 2006, he assumed the duties of Executive Director and now it appears that he might never leave.

Prior to his tenure at WBSM, Alderson worked a stint as a booking agent for critically acclaimed acoustic artists Geoff Muldaur, Dakota Dave Hull, Peter Lang, Phil Heywood, Tim Sparks, Dean Magraw, and Lonnie Knight and also filled in for a year as Interim Managing Director of Minnesota Film Arts to help produce the 21st Annual Minneapolis-St.Paul International Film Festival. He gained extensive music industry and concert production experience during many years as Director of Operations at the Cedar Cultural Center, a mid-sized acoustic roots/world music/alternative music venue located on the West Bank. Prior to that he worked for his alma mater as a member of the fundraising team at the University of Minnesota Foundation.

David plays guitar, piano, fiddle, sings, writes songs, poems, and occasional humorous bits to amuse himself when the proper mood and circumstances converge. He has enjoyed a number of fruitful musical collaborations over the years and his current band, Sonic Love Child , a rootsy acoustic group performs Americana and vintage pop music around the Twin Cities and the Midwest.

Board of Directors

Russ Fischer, Board President

Russ Fischer is the President of the Board of Directors, and has been with WBSM since October 2010. He joined because he recognized the importance of music education for children and building a stronger community. He believes WBSM fits the bill perfectly. Russ retired from the insurance industry where he was a Regional Vice President for six states. Russ received a Bachelor’s degree in Economics from the State University of New York. He also earned an M.B.A. in Marketing and Management from New York University. When Russ is not doing volunteer work, he prefers spending his time reading, traveling, attending theater and concerts.

Jenna Mueller, Board Treasurer

Jenna Mueller joined the WBSM Board of Directors in July 2010, and serves as Treasurer. She also sits on the Finance Committee. She joined because she is passionate about volunteering and WBSM seemed like a strong organization with great purpose. She is a Certified Public Accountant, Auditor & Tax Accountant, Member of the Minnesota Society of Certified Public Accountants and American Institute of Certified Public Accountants. She is a great asset to our organization and we are lucky to have her on board. She earned a Bachelors of Science in Accounting, and minored in Business Administration from Minnesota State University, Mankato.

Stephanie Duy, Board Secretary

Stephanie Duy serves on the Marketing Committee and is currently board secretary. March 2012 marks her fifth year on the Board of Directors. She previously has been Board Treasurer, Vice President, and President. When she is not sharing her talents with WBSM, she works for Target as a Business Process Consultant. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Economics and Mathematics from St. Olaf College. Her passions include traveling, enjoying the great outdoors and, of course, music!

Jeff Grundtner, Board Member

Jeff Grundtner joined the WBSM Board of Directors in March 2008. He is passionate about WBSM and wanted to ensure the school's long term health by leveraging his financial and accounting background to help make crucial decisions. He was formerly Treasurer of the Board, and currently serves on the Finance Committee in addition to being a board member. He is a financial analyst for Target Corporation, and graciously lends his talents to WBSM. Jeff earned a Business degree from the University of Minnesota, Carlson School of Management.

Chad Nelson, Board Member

Chad Nelson joined the WBSM Board of Directors in 2009. He joined the WBSM board because he is very passionate about music. He also feels it is important to have someone on the board who offers the perspective of a parent of a WBSM student. In addition to serving on the board he heads the Volunteer Committee. Chad attended University of South Dakota, University of MN, and Madison Area Technical College. He holds a degree in Broadcasting from Brown College. Chad is so passionate about music that he has worked in the industry for over 25 years. When he is not listening to music or going to concerts, he is reading about music or playing an instrumental role in children’s musical education for WBSM.

Angela Determan, Board Member

Angela Determan joined the Board of Directors in November 2011, and also serves on the Grants Committee. She joined WBSM because she wanted to work with an organization that helps build community and further education. She works in Strategic Development at Thrivent Financial in addition to her work with WBSM. She has a Bachelor’s degree from the University of St Thomas and a Masters from the Humphrey School of Public Policy at the University of Minnesota. When she is not working she enjoys spending time with her friends and family, reading, and listening to music.

Tom Stuck, Board Member

Tom Stuck joined the WBSM Board of Directors in October 2011, and also serves on the Special Projects Committee. Tom joined WBSM because he saw the importance of WBSM and wanted to be a part of an organization that is making a difference in the community and in the lives of children. He graduated from Saint John’s University in 2007 with a Bachelor degree in Business Management, and then attained an MBA from the Minnesota School of Business in 2009. In addition to volunteering, he works as a Human Resources Generalist at Apex International. Tom loves music, golfing, skiing, and reading a good book.